Seattle Aquarium Seattle Aquarium Species List (9/8/2025)

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

This week was the first time in the last couple of months where no new species were added to any of the exhibits, especially the Ocean Pavilion, which has seen a huge influx of species I didn't even know we had the past few weeks. Which means this gives me an opportunity to make a new species list. Hopefully, this list becomes outdated again soon, which is a good thing since it means more species will be moving over shortly. But as of today, (if you'd like to see the descriptions of each gallery, check the previous species list I posted a few months back)

August 9th, 2025:

Pier 59 |

"Window on Washington Waters" Tank (120,000 gallons)

• Wolf Eels (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
• Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
• Yellow-Eye Rockfishes (Sebastes ruberrimus)
• China Rockfishes (Sebastes nebulosus)
• Deacon Rockfishes (Sebastes diaconus)
• Canary Rockfishes (Sebastes pinniger)
• Black Rockfishes (Sebastes melanops)
• Red Irish Lord (Hemilepidotus hemilepidotus)
• Giant Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
• Ochre Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus)

"Crashing Waves" Tank

• Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
• Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
• Veiled Chitons (Placiphorella velata)

"Dock Piling" Tank

• Shiner Perches (Cymatogaster aggregata)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
• Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile)
• Northern Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta)
• various species of algae
• (The Kelp is fake)

"Life on the Edge: Outer Coast" Touch Pool

• Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Red Sea Urchins (Mesocentrotus franciscanus)
• Giant Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
• Crimson Anemones (Cribrinopsis fernaldi)
• Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
• Bat Stars (Patiria miniata)
• various sponges

"Life on the Edge: Inland Seas" Touch Pool

• Vermillion Sea Stars (Mediaster aequalis)
• Leather Stars (Dermasterias imbricata)
• Bat Stars (Patiria miniata)
• Pacific Blood Sea Stars (Henricia leviuscula)
• Painted Anemones (Urticina crassicornis)
• Crimson Anemones (Cribrinopsis fernaldi)
• Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima)
• Beaded Anemones (Urticina coriacea)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
• Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile)
• Rock Scallops (Crassodoma gigantea)
• Calcareous Tube Worms (Serpula vermicularis)
• California Mussels (Mytilus californianus)
• California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
• Shiner Perches (Cymatogaster aggregata)
• Sharpnose Crab (Scyra acutifrons)
• Dock Shrimps (Pandalus danae)
• Bering Hermit Crab (Pagurus beringanus)
• Gumboot Chitons (Cryptochiton stelleri)
• Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
• various species of algae

"Closer Look Table" (This rotation's theme is: "Colors of the Sea")

• California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
• Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)

• Mottled Sea Star (Evasterias troschelii)

• Sharpnose Crab (Scyra acutifrons)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)

• Monterey Sea Lemon / Monterey Dorid Nudibranch (Doris montereyensis)

• Vermillion Sea Stars (Mediaster aequalis)
• Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)

• Orange Cup Corals (Balanophyllia elegans)
• Spiny Scallops (Chlamys hastata)

• Crescent Gunnel (Pholis laeta)

"Ring of Life" Jellyfish Tank

• Greater Moon Jellies (Aurelia labiata)

"Giant Pacific Octopus" Tank

• Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) (the current GPO is named "Violet")
• Painted Anemones (Urticina crassicornis)
• Bat Stars (Patiria miniata)
• (Kelp is fake)

"Pinto Abalone Conservation" Tank

• Pinto Abalones (Haliotis kamtschatkana)
• California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
• Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile)
• Copper Rockfish (juveniles) (Sebastes caurinus)
• Bering Hermit Crab (Pagurus beringanus)
• (The kelp is fake)

Pier 60 |

"Seabird Aviary: Sandy Shores"

• Western Snowy Plover (Anarhynchus nivosus)
• Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)
• Black Oyster Catcher (Haematopus bachmani)
• Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
• California Sea Cucumbers (Apostichopus californicus)
• Eelgrass (Zostera marina)
• (Our Black Bellied Plover passed away from old age)
• various species algaes

"Seabird Aviary: Rocky Shores"

• Black Oyster Catcher (Haematopus bachmani)
• Kelp Greenling (Hexagrammos decagrammus)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Purple Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Red Sea Urchins (Mesocentrotus franciscanus)
• Giant Green Anemones (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
• Ochre Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus)

"Seabird Aviary: Seacliffs"

• Tufted Puffins (Fratercula cirrhata)
• Common Murres (Uria aalge)
• Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) (aka 'Lola') (Apparently we're 1 of 3 holders globally, the other 2 being Oregon Coast Aquarium & Alaska Sealife Center)

"Salmon Life Cycle"

• Chinook Salmon (juveniles) (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

• Striped Surf Perches (juveniles) (Embiotoca lateralis)

"Puget Sound Fish Gallery" (Eelgrass Bed displays)

• Shiner Perches (Cymatogaster aggregata)
• Roughback Sculpin (Chitonotus pugetensis)
• Penpoint Gunnels (Apodichthys flavidus)
• Snake Pricklebacks (Lumpenus sagitta)
  
• Aggregating Anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima)
• Furry Hermit Crab (Paguristes ulreyi)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
• Plumose Anemones (Metridium senile)
• California Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus californicus)
• Vermillion Stars (Mediaster aequalis)
• Eelgrass (Zostera marina)

• Pacific Spiny Lumpsuckers (Eumicrotremus orbis)
• Rock Soles (juveniles) (Lepidopsetta bilineata)
• High Cockscomb (Anoplarchus purpurescens)
• Blackeye Hermit Crab (Pagurus armatus)
• various species of algae

• Bay Pipefishes (Syngnathus leptorhynchus)
• Sailfin Sculpin ((Nautichthys oculofasciatus)
• Leather Sea Star (Dermasterias imbricata)

'Salmon Raceway' (Tank in the ceiling that you walk under as you enter "Puget Sound Fish")

• Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

"Puget Sound Fish Gallery" (Deepwater displays)

• Orange Sea Pens (Ptilosarcus gurneyi)
  
• Veiled Chitons (Placiphorella velata)
• Giant Scallops (Crassodoma gigantea)
• Brittle Stars (Ophiura sp.)
• Creeping Pedal Sea Cucumbers (Psolus chitonoides)
• White Sea Cucumbers (Eupentacta quinquesemita)
• Burrowing Tube Anemone (Pachycerianthus fimbriatus)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)

• Puget Sound Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes emphaeus)
• Northern Spearnose Poacher (Agonopsis vulsa)
• Pygmy Rock Crab (Glebocarcinus oregonensis)
• Six-ray Sea Star (Leptasterias hexactis)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Daisy Brittlestars (Ophiopholis aculeata)

• Splitnose Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes diploproa)
• Redbanded Rockfishe (juvenile) (Sebastes babcocki) (Only US holder allegedly, 1 of 2 globally)
• Leather Sea Star (Dermasterias imbricata)
• Orange Sea Pens (Ptilosarcus gurneyi)

"Puget Sound Fish Gallery" (Rocky Cliff displays)

• Yellowtail Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes flavidus)
• Painted Greenling (Oxylebius pictus)
• Brown Irish Lord (Hemilepidotus spinosus)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Crimson Anemones (Cribrinopsis fernaldi)
• Vermilon Sea Stars (Mediaster aequalis)

• Grunt Sculpins (Rhamphocottus richardsonii)
• Mosshead Warbonnet (Chirolophis nugator)
• Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
• Daisy Brittlestars (Ophiopholis aculeata)
• various species of algae

• Canary Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes pinniger)
• China Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes nebulosus)
• Longfin Sculpin (Jordania zonope)
• Pacific Blood Sea Star (Henricia leviuscula)
• Strawberry Anemones (Corynactis californica)
• Crimson Anemones (Cribrinopsis fernaldi)
• Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• California Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus californicus)

• Deacon Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes diaconus)
• White Spotted Anemones (Urticina eques)

• Blackeye Goby (Rhinogobiops nicholsii)
• Orange Cup Corals (Balanophyllia elegans)
• Calcareous Tube Worms (Serpula vermicularis)

• 
  
  
  • Yellowtail Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes flavidus)
  • Canary Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes pinniger)
  • China Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes nebulosus)
  • Deacon Rockfishes (juveniles) (Sebastes diaconus)
  • Painted Greenling (Oxylebius pictus)

"Underwater Dome" Exhibit (400,000 gallons)

• Pacific Spiny Dogfish Sharks (Squalus suckleyi) (Three total)
• Big Skate (Beringraja binoculata) (One total)
• Green Sturgeons (Acipenser medirostris) (Three total)
• White Sturgeons (Acipenser transmontanus) (One total)
• Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
• Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
• Lingcods (Ophiodon elongatus)
• Sablefishes (Anoplopoma fimbria)
• Cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus)
• Quillback Rockfishes (Sebastes maliger)
• China Rockfishes (Sebastes nebulosus)
• Rosy Rockfishes (Sebastes rosaceus)
• Widow Rockfishes (Sebastes entomelas)
• Deacon Rockfishes (Sebastes diaconus)
• Yellowtail Rockfishes (Sebastes flavidus)
• Brown Rockfishes (Sebastes auriculatus)
• Canary Rockfishes (Sebastes pinniger)
• Yelloweye Rockfishes (Sebastes ruberrimus)
• Copper Rockfishes (Sebastes caurinus)
• Black Rockfishes (Sebastes melanops)
• Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
• Pile Perches (Rhacochilus vacca)
• Kelp Greenlings (Hexagrammos decagrammus)
• Starry Flounders (Platichthys stellatus)
• Pacific Blood Sea Stars (Henricia leviuscula)
• Ochre Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus)
• Fish-eating Anemones (Urticina piscivora)
• Painted Anemones (Urticina crassicornis)
• Sand-rose Anemones (Urticina columbiana)
• White Spotted Anemones (Urticina eques)
• Leather Stars (Dermasterias imbricata)
• Mottled Stars (Evasterias troschelii)
• Giant Kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
• Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)
• various species of algae

"Salmon Ladder" Exhibit

• 
  
  
  • Currently empty except for various algae

"Window on Elliott Bay" Tank

• Wolf Eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
• China Rockfishes (Sebastes nebulosus)
• Copper Rockfishes (Sebastes caurinus)
• Widow Rockfishes (Sebastes entomelas)
• Yelloweye Rockfishes (Sebastes ruberrimus)
• Yellowtail Rockfishes (Sebastes flavidus)
• Deacon Rockfishes (Sebastes diaconus)
• Quillback Rockfishes (Sebastes maliger)
• Striped Surfperches (Embiotoca lateralis)
• Gumboot Chitons (Cryptochiton stelleri)
• Green Sea Urchins (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)
• Hairy Triton Snails (Fusitriton oregonensis)
• Ochre Stars (Pisaster ochraceus)
• Fish-eating Anemones (Urticina piscivora)
• Painted Anemones (Urticina crassicornis)
• Giant Plumose Anemones (Metridium farcimen)
• White Spotted Anemones (Urticina eques)

"Freshwater Stream" Exhibit

• Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

"Harbor Seals" Exhibit

• Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) (Casey and Hogan, both males)

"Northern Fur Seals" Exhibit

• Northern Fur Seals (Callorhinus ursinus) (Chiidax and Flaherty, both males)

"Northern Sea Otters" Exhibit

• Northern Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) (Mishka and Seiku, both females)

"North American River Otters" Exhibit

• North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) (Molalla and Ahanu, both males)

Ocean Pavilion |

"The Reef" Exhibit (500,000 gallons)

• Blacktip Reef Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) (One Female)
• Ocellated Eagle Rays (Aetobatus ocellatus) (Three Total, all males)
• Bowmouth Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostoma) (One Female, I believe only 7 other institutions keep them in the US)
• Leopard Whipray (Himantura leoparda) (One Female, potentially 1 of 2 US holders, the other being Georgia)
• Giant Morays (Gymnothorax javanicus) (Two Total)
• Redbelly Yellowtail Fusiliers (Caesio cuning) (over 250+)
• Bluespine Unicornfish (Naso unicornis)
• Naso Tangs (Naso lituratus)
• Eye-Stripe Surgeonfishes (Acanthurus dussumieri)
• Yellowfin Surgeonfishes (Acanthurus xanthopterus)
• Ringtail Surgeonfishes (Acanthurus blochii)
• Blue Hippo Tangs (Paracanthurus hepatus)
• Gold Rim Tangs (Acanthurus nigricans)
• Emperor Angelfishes (Pomacanthus imperator)
• Clown Triggerfishes (Balistoides conspicillum)
• Porcupine Pufferfish (Diodon holocanthus)
• Grey Dogface Pufferfish (Arothron nigropunctatus)
• Pyramid Butterflyfishes (Hemitaurichthys polylepis)
• Saddle Butterflyfishes (Chaetodon ephippium)
• Spotted Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides)
• Purple Square Anthias (Males & Females) (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)
• Blue Streak Cleaner Wrasses (Labroides dimidiatus)
• Yellow Stripe Wrasse (Coris flavovittata)
• Moorish Idols (Zanclus cornutus)
• Foxface Rabbitfishes (Siganus vulpinus)
• Coral Rabbitfishes (Siganus corallinus)
• Gold Spotted Rabbitfishes (Siganus punctatus)
• Yellow Stripe Goatfishes (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus)
• Manybar Goatfishes (Parupeneus multifasciatus)
• Longfin Batfishes (Platax teira)
• Snub-Nosed Pompanos (Trachinotus blochii)
• Barred Flagtails (Kuhlia mugil)
• Hawaiian Flagtails (Kuhlia sandvicensis) (the correct ID)
• Stocky Hawkfishes (Cirrhitus pinnulatus)
• Orangeshoulder Tangs (Acanthurus olivaceus)
• Whitebar Surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucopareius) (were potentially 1 of 2 holders globally)
• Spotted Unicornfish (Naso brevirostris)
• Orange Spotted Rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus)
• Doublebar Rabbitfish (Siganus virgatus)
• Blueline Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigroris) (were potentially 1 of 2 holders globally)
• Redsea Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii)
• Sailfin Tangs (Zebrasoma veliferum)
• Raccoon Butterflyfishes (Chaetodon lunula)
• Yellow Tangs (Zebrasoma flavescens)
• Convict Tangs (Acanthurus triostegus)
• Purple Tangs (Zebrasoma xanthurum)
• Threadfin Butterflyfishes (Chaetodon auriga)
• Hawaiian Squirrelfish (Sargocentron punctatissimum) (were potentially the only global holder)
• Lei Triggerfish (Sufflamen bursa)
• One-spot Foxface Rabbitfish (Siganus unimaculatus)
• Lavander Tangs (Acanthurus nigrofuscus)
• Milkfishes (Chanos chanos)

"The Archipelago: Mangrove Lagoon" Exhibit

• Blue Spotted Mask Rays (Neotrygon kuhlii) (Two Females)
• Stripey's (Microcanthus strigatus)
• Silver Moony's (Monodactylus argenteus)
• Spotted Scats (Scatophagus argus)
• Yellow Stripe Goatfishes (Mulloidichthys flavolineatus)
• Scopas Tangs (Zebrasoma scopas)
• Chocolate Chip Sea Stars (Protoreaster nodosus)
• Red Mangrove Trees (Rhizophora mangle)

"The Archipelago: Coral Canyon" Exhibit

• Lyretail Anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) (Males & Females)
• Blue-Green Chromis (Chromis viridis)
• Copperband Butterflyfishes (Chelmon rostratus)
• Moorish Idols (Zanclus cornutus)
• Gold Rim Tangs (Acanthurus nigricans)
• Double-Lined Fusiliers (Pterocaesio digramma)
• Bicolor Angelfishes (Centropyge bicolor)
• Flame Angelfishes (Centropyge loricula)
• Pinecone Soldierfishes (Myripristis murdjan)
• Bristle-Tailed Filefishes (Acreichthys tomentosus)
• Foxface Rabbitfishes (Siganus vulpinus)
• Scopas Tangs (Zebrasoma scopas)
• Royal Dottybacks (Pictichromis paccagnellorum)
• Blue Sapphire Damselfishes (Chrysiptera springeri)
• Blue Devil Damselfishes (Chrysiptera cyanea)
• Sixline Wrasses (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
• Banggai Cardinalfishes (Pterapogon kauderni)
• Giant Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea)
• Orange Ocellaris Clownfishes (Amphiprion ocellaris)
• Percula Clownfishes (Amphiprion percula)
• Blue Leg Hermit Crabs, Turbo Snails, Astrea Snails for the invertebrates
• Various Monitpora, Seriatopora, Turbinaria, Zoanthinds, Mushrooms, Lepotseris, Bubble Coral, Chalices, and much more make up the coral species in the tank)

"Into the Shallows" Tank

• Yellow Seahorses (Hippocampus kuda)
• Alligator Pipefishes (Syngnathoides biaculeatus)
• Chocolate Chip Sea Stars (Protoreaster nodosus)

"At home in the Ocean: "Want to be Friends?" Tank

• Ocellaris Clownfishes (Amphiprion ocellaris)
• Tomato Clownfishes (Amphiprion frenatus)
• Orange Spotted Filefishes (Oxymonacanthus longirostris)
• Gold Head Sleeper Goby (Valenciennea strigata)
• Rainbow Bubbletip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor)
• Magnifica Anemones (Heteractis magnifica)
• Cushion Star (Culcita novaeguineae)
• (plus a bunch of Astrea and Turbo snails)

"At home in the Ocean: "Want to play Hide and Seek?" Tank

• Grooved Razorfishes (Centriscus scutatus)
• Five-Lined Cardinalfishes (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus)
• Gold Head Sleeper Gobies (Valenciennea strigata)
• Sand Sifting Sea Stars (Astropecten polyacanthus)
• Pink & Black Sea Cucumbers (Holothuria edulis)

"At home in the Ocean: "Want to go out.. or Stay In?" Tank

• Honeycomb Moray (Gymnothorax favagineus)
• Longnose Butterflyfishes (Forcipiger longirostris)
• Cushion Star (Culcita novaeguineae)

"At home in the Ocean: "Read my mind?" Tank

• Dwarf Cuttlefishes (Sepia bandensis)
• (Plus a small variety of small corals)

"At home in the Ocean: "Want to play hide and seek?" Tank

• Spotted Garden Eels (Heteroconger hassi)
• Splendid Garden Eels (Gorgasia preclara)
• Pajama Cardinalfishes (Sphaeramia nematoptera)
• Longnose Butterflyfishes (Forcipiger longirostris)
• (Plus some “Kenya Tree” soft Corals on the back)

"At home in the Ocean: "Watch out!" Tank

• Devil Scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis diabolus) (Potentially 1 of 2 US holders, the other being Shedd)
• Red Lionfishes (Pterois volitans)
• Ornate Spiny Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)
• Cushion Star (Culcita novaeguineae)

"At home in the Ocean: "Are you a Night Owl too?" Tank

• Blue-eye Cardinalfishes (Zoramia leptacantha)
• Copperband Butterflyfishes (Chelmon rostratus)
• Sixline Wrasses (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
• Longnose Hawkfishes (Oxycirrhites typus)
• Bristle-Tailed Filefishes (Acreichthys tomentosus)
• Australian Sea Apples (Pseudocolochirus axiologus)
• Orange Sun Corals (Tubastraea faulkneri)
• Black Sun Corals (Tubastraea micrantha)
• “Ghostly Green” Sun Corals (Tubastraea sp.)
• Purple Gorgonians (Menella sp.)
• Green Wire Corals (Cirrhipathes spiralis)

"At home in the Ocean" Tanks that don't have a corresponding theme:

• Scribbled Pipefishes (Corythoichthys intestinalis)
• Also Caulerpa prolifera macroalgae

• Yellow Leaf Scorpionfishes (Taenianotus triacanthus)
• Engineer Goby (Pholidichthys leucotaenia)
• Banded Coral Shrimps (Stenopus hispidus)

• Mangrove Upside Down Jellies (Cassiopea andromeda)
• Pajama Cardinalfishes (Sphaeramia nematoptera)

• Arc-eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus)
• Zebra Dartfishes (Ptereleotris zebra)
  
• Pink Flowerpot Corals (Goniopora spp.)

• Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
• Also some various soft corals

"Jelly Nursery" Exhibit

• Spotted Lagoon Jellies (Mastigias papua) (both in the main tank, and growout tanks)

"Animal Care Area" Exhibit (a public behind-the-scenes viewing area)

• Zebra Sharks (Stegostoma tigrinum) (Male and female) (I've heard word from current volunteers that the female will be moving in to the Reef pretty soon)
• Along with various corals that are in the coral grow-out tank